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Most Read Workers Comp News

Workers compensation audit reviews can reveal costly errors

Published May 13, 2012 CST

With workers compensation rates firming, some employers are pressing for reviews of their workers comp audits with an eye to lowering their premiums.

Workers compensation market 'conflicted' despite economy's rebound: NCCI

Published May 10, 2012 CST

While workers compensation insurer premium growth shows “that the worst of the recession has passed,” the insurance market for injured-employee coverage “remains in a worrisome state,” NCCI Holdings Inc. reported Thursday.

Death benefits awarded to widow of worker who died from hydrocodone overdose

Published May 11, 2012 CST

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas—Workers compensation benefits must be awarded for a death caused by an overdose of hydrocodone pain medication prescribed for an on-the-job injury, a Texas appeals court ruled Thursday.

Unifirst could be fined $186,000 for 'willful,' 'serious' safety violations at plant

Published May 11, 2012 CST

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—A Massachusetts-based uniform and laundry services company could be forced to pay $186,000 for a number of “serious” and “willful” safety and health violations at one of its facilities, according to federal workplace safety officials.

Senate probes painkiller makers, allied groups

Published May 11, 2012 CST

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—A U.S. Senate panel has launched a probe of possible links between three drugmakers and nonprofit medical groups that advocated for increasing the use of prescription painkillers, now the target of a nationwide law enforcement crackdown.

New Solution Arc: Toughest Workers Comp Claims

Published May 14, 2012 CST

With a relatively small percentage of workers comp claims responsible for a large proportion of employers' costs, how can workers comp managers better address those claims to yield big savings?

Marcia Benshoof resigns from Pinnacol Assurance's board of directors

Published May 10, 2012 CST

DENVER—Marcia Benshoof resigned from Pinnacol Assurance’s board of directors, a spokesman for Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said Wednesday.

Property/casualty insurance rates up 3% in April: MarketScout

Published May 04, 2012 CST

The composite rate for commercial property/casualty and professional lines coverage increased an average of 3% in April 2012 compared with the same month a year ago, MarketScout said Friday.

Q&A: Connectivity services provider helps workers compensation insurers

Published May 11, 2012 CST

Employers may not recognize Mitchell International Inc.'s name or know they rely on Mitchell's bill review technology, medical care repricing services and data analytics to manage their workers compensation claims costs. The San Diego-based company provides its bill review technology and “connectivity services” to the insurers, third-party administrators and managed care companies…

Mississippi governor signs workers compensation reform bill

Published May 15, 2012 CST

JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law Monday a workers compensation reform bill that will require claimants to meet a higher burden of proof that their injuries were work-related.

Average Calif. workers comp indemnity hits $66,922 in 2011: Institute

Published May 04, 2012 CST

OAKLAND, Calif.—The average cost of a California workers compensation indemnity claim edged up slightly to reach a record high of $66,922 for 2011, a California Workers' Compensation Institute bulletin states.

Cardinal Health reaches agreement with DEA over alleged controlled substance distribution

Published May 15, 2012 CST

LAKELAND, Fla.—Cardinal Health Inc. reached an agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency over allegations that its Lakeland, Fla., distribution center failed to ensure that controlled substances were not diverted for illegitimate uses.

Workers compensation benefits improperly paid to N.Y. inmates

Published May 13, 2012 CST

ALBANY, N.Y.—An audit found that New York's State Insurance Fund paid workers compensation benefits to incarcerated felons, but examiners could not conclude whether private insurers and self-insured employers also paid benefits to any inmates.

Broadspire reports first operating profit in two years

Published May 08, 2012 CST

ATLANTA—Broadspire Services Inc. reported that increased workers compensation claims frequency helped it earn a $137,000 first-quarter profit, the third-party administrator’s first operating profit in two years.

Miss. Workers' Compensation Commission decisions can be appealed to high court

Published May 08, 2012 CST

JACKSON, Miss.—In a split en banc decision Thursday, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that decisions from the state's Workers' Compensation Commission can be appealed directly to the high court.

Medicare set-aside reform legislation introduced in House

Published April 30, 2012 CST

WASHINGTON—Members of the House of Representatives on Friday introduced bipartisan, federal legislation that seeks to eliminate delays and confusion caused by a federal agency's review of workers compensation Medicare set-asides.

Michigan school district settles fume-related workers comp claims

Published May 08, 2012 CST

PORTAGE, Mich.—A Michigan public school district has agreed to pay $432,000 to settle workers compensation claims by four teachers who alleged they suffered health problems caused by fumes from a high school renovation project.

New York's cap on workers comp awards applies to multiple injuries: Court

Published May 03, 2012 CST

A weekly cap on workers comp benefit awards applies even when a worker suffers several different injuries, New York's highest court ruled Tuesday in a 5-2 decision.

New York state improperly paid workers comp benefits to prison inmates: Audit

Published May 07, 2012 CST

ALBANY, N.Y.—An audit found that New York's State Insurance Fund paid workers compensation benefits to incarcerated felons, but examiners could not conclude whether private insurers and self-insured employers also paid benefits to any inmates.

Business Insurance In FOCUS video: Safety programs for an aging workforce

Published April 10, 2012 CST

In our latest weekly video, we examine how America's aging workforce is having huge implications for employers and workers comp insurers.

Workers compensation drug tests raise costs, questions

Published April 29, 2012 CST

Amid increasing nationwide demand for drug testing to ensure workers compensation claimants comply with prescribed narcotic regimens and don't misuse their medications, questions are surfacing about the testing industry's business practices and ethics.

Maryland court to decide on jurisdiction for Washington Redskins workers comp cases

Published May 07, 2012 CST

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Maryland’s Court of Appeals is set to decide whether Maryland has jurisdiction over workers compensation cases from Washington Redskins players who play part time in the state.

OFF BEAT: Woman injured having sex during work trip can collect workers comp

Published April 19, 2012 CST

A woman injured while enjoying sex in a motel room during a work-related trip is entitled to workers compensation benefits, an Australian judge ruled Thursday.

New York workers compensation costs rise despite reforms: Report

Published April 25, 2012 CST

LATHAM, N.Y.—Workers compensation costs for New York municipalities have increased despite reforms adopted in 2007 that were expected to reduce costs, a report released Tuesday states.

Mississippi House, Senate pass workers compensation reform bill

Published May 01, 2012 CST

JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi’s House and Senate passed a workers compensation bill Monday that would require employees to prove that their injuries were work-related, among other reforms.